Sports
Cru baseball opens season with loss
Monday, 25 February 2013 by Tony Adams
UMHB pitcher Nicholas Bergmann makes a pitch during the Cru’s game against Texas Wesleyan.Mary Hardin-Baylor kicked off the 2013 in a solid way, playing great defense and receiving timely hits.
Unfortunately, three untimely errors and several wild pitches led to surrendering of seven unearned-runs to Texas Wesleyan, spoiling Ben Shipp's beginning of his second tour of duty at the helm of the Cru, as they dropped a tough game to the Rams 11-6 at Red Murff Field on a damp, windy Monday evening.
Chance Ryan got the start for UMHB and surrendered one hit in the first three innings. The Cru scratched out two runs on two walks and a double by Chris Florack to put UMHB up 2-0.
TWU answered with two runs in the top of the fourth. Ryan left the game following two allowed walks due to a finger blister. Sam VanHoozer relieved Ryan and allowed an RBI single to Dusty Harper and Charles Tabone scored on a wild pitch. Ian Eckery came in and circumvented further damage in the Rams fourth inning.
UMHB regained a two-run lead in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of an error by David Kiriakos, single by Jake Ricketts, and a two-run triple for Zack Whiddon. Eckery pitched through fifth and gave way to Nick Bergmann. The Rams got to Bergmann, Trey Swartzenberg and Jeremy for seven runs in the seventh inning on four hits and three errors and tacked on one more in the eighth inning.
The Cru scored two runs in the ninth, on a fielders choice and a wild pitch. But in the end, the Cru couldn't work back into the game and suffered their first defeat of the season.
Jacob Lyons picked up the win for the Rams. In three innings, he allowed two runs on four hits in 13 batters faced.
Bergmann picked up the loss for the Cru, allowing five runs (only one earned) on four hits, struck out one and walked one.
Though this was only the first game, UMHB's talent is limitless and on the upswing.
"This team has been so fun to coach," said coach Shipp. "I've had talented teams before, but never have had a team I have enjoyed as much as this one. And to see the potential they have. These guys (Texas Wesleyan) have played seven or eight games. I wasn't expecting to see us clicking on all eight cylinders. But I saw so many good things, it was really cool"
"But you know, with coaching with my sons (Ben and Nathan) so much of what we do, I'm not even having to say anything," said Shipp. "With just a look on my face or way I tilt my head, and they know what I am talking about."
UMHB will host a three-game set against Hendrix College, with a single game Friday at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader starting at 1p.m. Saturday.
